Upon reflect on the past year, a selection of remarkable long-form stories shines. Such accounts probe intricate topics ranging from political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing satires on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he still sell millions of copies. It prompts a key query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only route out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may still cost him his life.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Ancient Origins
The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely re-writing the story of our species. But, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing intense controversy has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking scale of mistreatment it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks complex queries: Is she truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest moments, people turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable medical solution – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his keen mind and impeccable background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to become uneasy.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a major actor on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to manage a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the procedures is still partially shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the possibility that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his situation could change for the better. That hope was tragically mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may possess the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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